Final answer:
Intense cultivation does not exclusively characterize agriculture, as it can refer to practices in both horticulture and non-farming industries. Extensive agriculture uses less intensive methods compared to intensive agriculture, which can lead to environmental impacts such as the Dust Bowl due to continuous cultivation and higher yields.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking us to identify which option does not characterize agriculture. Agriculture is noted for the use of techniques and systems such as irrigation systems, domestication of animals, fallow periods for land recovery, and intensive cultivation to increase production. However, looking closely at the options provided, intense cultivation does not exclusively characterize agriculture, as it can also refer to practices outside the traditional agricultural sphere such as those found in horticulture and even in non-farming industries. Thus, intense cultivation (E) could be considered the option that does not solely characterize agriculture, particularly when considering agriculture in contrast to sustainable practices.
For example, extensive agriculture is a type of farming that typically uses less intensive methods and more land, leading to less pressure on the environment. This is in contrast to intensive agriculture, which has a greater impact on the land due to continuous cultivation, the use of plows, and higher yields. These farming methods can have varying impacts on the environment, with intensive agriculture sometimes leading to issues such as the historical Dust Bowl, which was exacerbated by overcultivation and poor farming techniques.